Visit our Popular Forums

hellosailor · 19-12-2017, 12:58

Don-
"You can cut water loss with recombiner caps. "
Have you seen what those go for lately? Wowser.

Dadrock33 · 19-12-2017, 13:24

What companies have you been using for the battery caps? I like the entire setup but it's costly (that is, hooking all the battery cells up to a manifold - it's like a "keep-full" system) . . . . used them on forklifts at the plant and they helped . . still need to be monitored though.

smac999 · 19-12-2017, 13:52

you are confusing charger output level, a charger setting and charge efficiency setting for a battery monitor device (from another thread), which you probably don't even have. 2 completely different things. unless your charger is getting too hot, or you shore / gen power is too small. it should be run at 100% charge level. with that many batteries you should be running at like 200%.. (ie you should have another charger as well to charge more)

your water should be checked often. monthy. and added as needed.

with that many batteires being charged and discharged daily. I would expect many a few liters of water per year?

it's possible you are putting too much water in. and overflowing them as they charge. and always losing the top bit you should be just covering the plates.

motion30 · 19-12-2017, 13:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by smac999

you are confusing charger output level, a charger setting and charge efficiency setting for a battery monitor device (from another thread), which you probably don't even have. 2 completely different things. unless your charger is getting too hot, or you shore / gen power is too small. it should be run at 100% charge level. with that many batteries you should be running at like 200%.. (ie you should have another charger as well to charge more)

your water should be checked often. monthy. and added as needed.

with that many batteires being charged and discharged daily. I would expect many a few liters of water per year?

Yes you are exactly correct. As you can tell this is a large battery Bank and they are spread all over the engine compartment. Power leads from the inverter hooked to One battery. So when I installed the new batteries I installed a new much longer cable to split the charging cables from the closest battery to the most distant one hopefully this'll balance things a little better

smac999 · 19-12-2017, 14:13

the other thing to watch is equal water use. if you are putting lots of water in. but all 12 take simular amounts. I wouldn't be too worried. but if some batteries need none, and some need lots. then you have issues. possible some bad batteries.

john61ct · 19-12-2017, 18:02

New batteries should not be added to an old bank.

Intra-bank wiring really should be well balanced from the start.

A good primer http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/batt_con.html

mitiempo · 19-12-2017, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptRory

12 6v Batt X 215 amps = 2580 amp hr @ 6 volts. /2 = 1290 amp hours @ 12 volts. Since you never want to deplete flooded batteries less than 50%, you have a useful capacity of 645 amp hours. Don't deplete them more than 50%. Do not allow the plates to be exposed, keep water level up to cover the plates at all times, and aging and sulfating will be minimal. Charge them at 13.8. Get a smart charger which will give you the right bulk, absorption and float voltage. Do you have an equalization mode on your charger? Equalize at 14.5 for 4 hours every 6 months to reverse sulfating. Be aware, they produce hydrogen, they should be in a vented box. AGM's require different treatment. Flooded give you more amp hours and longer life, AGM's are more forgiving and don't require a box or venting. Buy a copy of Nigel Calder's "Boat Owner's Electrical and Mechanical Manual". It's all in there as well as everything else you will ever need to know.

The op has a Magnum inverter/charger set properly. 14.6 bulk/absorption and 13.3 float.

Your voltage numbers on the other hand are totally incorrect.

john61ct · 19-12-2017, 22:34

Ya missed that, who charges FLA lead @ 13.8 ?

And only equalize every 4 months?

Yes they're just Interstate/Johnson Controls, but I bet you can still find the specific charge specs documented.

Bleemus · 20-12-2017, 05:55

Call me confused but isn't the Magnum charger functionality useless for a full time on the hook boat?

john61ct · 20-12-2017, 05:57

Running off an AC genny, why would it be?

Bleemus · 20-12-2017, 06:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by john61ct

Running off an AC genny, why would it be?

Oops, my brain saw solar and just skipped over the genny part. My bad.

motion30 · 28-02-2018, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by john61ct

First off bank capacity is AH not amps.

Second 2x 6V to make 12V batts does not increase AH, so 215AH * 3 is your bank capacity.

Finally no, make all the amps you like available, a HO alt at 400A does no harm. The battery resistance and SoC determines bank acceptance, self-limiting.

If yours is FLA, will be around 80-90A max and only for a short time when depleted.

Adding water is normal and healthy.

Just make sure to follow mfg charge specs, each model can be different.

AGM requires much higher than FLA for longevity, over say 300A just watch out for heat issues, good charge sources have a temp sensor.

I have 12 215 amp 6 volt batteries.